Hospital bed service unit with combination night light/switch light assembly

ABSTRACT

A hospital bed service unit includes a combination night light and switch light assembly. A housing is provided in which a switch plate is mounted at an angle and a light source is mounted above the plate in the housing in an upper portion of the housing. A cover or shield over the upper portion of the assembly directs a light beam from the source downwardly over the switch plate and outwardly toward the floor to thereby provide night lighting, a light for reading wrist watches and the like, and switch plate illumination from a single light source.

Unite Sites atent [111 3,872,294

OToole 1 Mar. 18, 1975 HOSPITAL BED SERVICE UNIT WITH 3,660,591 5/1972 Schultz et a1. 240/2 RS COMBINATION NIGHT LIGHT/SWITCH 3,764,793 10/1973 Blnzer 240/2 PA LIGHT ASSEMBLY Patrick J. OToole, Wisconsin Rapids, Wis.

Assignee: Joerns Furniture Company, Stevens Point, Wis.

Filed: July 30, 1973 Appl. No.: 383,820

Inventor:

US. Cl. 240/2 S, 240/2 W Int. Cl. F21v 33/00 Field of Search 240/2 R, 2 S, 2 SP, 2 W,

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Linton 240/2 SP Wheeler, Jr. 240/2 SP Primary E.\aminerRichard M. Sheer Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Price, Heneveld, Huizenga & Cooper [57] ABSTRACT A hospital bed service unit includes a combination night light and switch light assembly. A housing is provided in which a switch plate is mounted at anangle and a light source is mounted above the plate in the housing in an upper portion of the housing. A cover or shield over the upper portion of the assembly directs a light beam from the source downwardly over the switch plate and outwardly toward the floor to thereby provide night lighting, a light for reading wrist watches and the like, and switch plate illumination from a single light source.

6 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures HOSPITAL BED SERVICE UNIT WITH COMBINATION NIGHT LIGHT/SWITCH LIGHT ASSEMBLY BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Hospital bed service units mountable on a wall in a hospital room proximate a bed are used to provide technical facilities such as electrical outlets and lighting to the bed location. Typically, the service unit includes a pair of pylons and a wall module support bracket having shelves for supporting the pylons. The pylons contain electrical outlets and observation, examination, reading, indirect and night lighting facilities. The pylons resting on the support brackets extend upwardly adjacent each side of the bed headboard. One system of this type is disclosed in a commonly assigned copending application Ser. No. 380,356, entitled HOSPI- TAL BED SERVICE UNIT filed July 18, 1973 and incorporated herein by reference.

In prior art service units of this type, the night lighting source is generally positioned adjacent or near the lowermost portion of the pylon to direct the light toward the floor. When hospital personnel check a patient during the night, oftentimes switches on the service unit must be operated to activate one or more of the technical facilities for care of the patient. The night lighting facilities, however, do not generally provide sufficient illumination to locate the switches thereby requiring that the personnel either carry a flashlight or turn on additional room lighting which may disturb the patient. For tasks such as taking a patients pulse requiring the observation of a watch or reading a thermometer, additional light is also required over that provided by the night lighting facilities since the night light does not give sufficient illumination in an area for convenient use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The combination night light and switch light assembly of the present invention improves upon lighting systems of the prior art and is specifically adapted for a hospital bed service unit of the type described in the above-identified, commonly assigned, copending application. The combination lighting assembly includes a housing having a plurality of walls defining an open front elongated enclosure mounted vertically along a front wall of the service unit. A switch mounting panel angularly disposed in the housing is spaced from the open front at the top thereof and extends downwardly and outwardly to thereby define at the top, a chamber in which a light source is provided. A face plate having an angular recess is positioned over the mounting panel. The face plate has an opening at its upper portion into the chamber. When the face plate is removed, that portion of the open front of the housing defining the chamber is closed by a removable cover member. Light from the source is directed downwardly from the chamber through the opening in the face plate and over the switches for illumination of the switches and also downwardly toward the floor of the room to provide night lighting. The assembly is located at a convenient height on the service unit so that a watch or thermometer can be conveniently read at the light.

The many objects and advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art as the invention becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONO F THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a typical hospital bed service unit incorporating the combined lighting assembly of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the lighting assembly, partially broken away for clarity, as viewed along the plane ll-Il of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the lighting assembly shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one side of a typical hospital bed service unit incorporating the combination lighting system of the present invention. The service unit 10 is generally of the type described in the above-mentioned commonly assigned, copending application entitled HOSPITAL BED SERVICE UNIT. The service unit includes a pair of spaced substantially identical pylons 12 (only one is shown) supported on a horizontal shelf. Each pylon 12 contains electrical outlets, suitable switches therefor, speakers, night lights and the like all as described in the above-identified application. The pylons are adapted for connection by means of an electrical supply line 14 to an external electrical source. The pylon is elongated and has an inwardly facing wall surface 16, a back wall 18, and an opposite wall 20 forming a generally triangular shape terminating outwardly from the wall on which it is mounted in an elongated front panel 22. Inner wall 16 is positioned adjacent a hospital bed and includes electrical outlets 24, an observation light 26, and examination, reading, and indirect lighting facilities 28. The combination night light and switch light assembly 30 of the invention is mounted in a recess provided in the front panel 22. Preferably, the light assembly is located midway along the length ofthe panel such that when the service unit is installed in a hospital room, the light assembly and the switches are spaced a convenient working distance above the floor so that a person can reach his or her hand down to the level of the light without stooping.

The combination night light and switch light assembly 30 is illustrated in greater detail in FIGS. 2 and 3. The light assembly includes a housing 40, a switch mounting panel 50 angularly disposed in the housing, a cover 60, and a face plate or cover plate 90. The cover, housing, and face platecooperatively define a chamber in which a light source is positioned.

The housing includes a back wall 42, a pair of spaced side walls 43, an upper or top wall 44 and a bottom wall 45. The housing is formed of sheet metal or the like. The walls form a generally rectangular box having an opening 46 at its front. A pair of outwardly directed flanges 47 extend outwardly from side walls 43 and are provided with suitable slotted openings for mounting the housing in the inside of the service unit in a conventional manner.

Switch mounting panel 50 is an elongated flat plate 52 having a width generally corresponding to the spacing between the side walls of the housing. The side edges 54 of plate 50 are turned inwardly for rigidity. At the upper end of panel 52, a generally L-shaped leg 56 is formed which is secured to back wall 42 of the housing as by a sheet metal screw 57. The lower end of plate 52 carries a tab 58 which is similarly secured to bottom wall adjacent front opening 46. A plurality of switches 59 are fixed on plate 52 and extend outwardly therefrom through openings 53 for convenient operation at the front of the housing. It will be noted that switch panel is disposed in the housing at an angle as shown in FIG. 2 such that its lower end is positioned on bottom wall 45 adjacent the front opening while the upper end, at the upper portion of the housing, is positioned near the back wall and is spaced downwardly from top wall 44 a slight distance.

Cover 60 is also formed of sheet metal and includes end walls 62 and 63 and side walls 64. The spacing between side walls 64 corresponds generally to the spacing between side walls 43 of the housing. The lower end wall 63 includes ears 65 extending outwardly slightly beyond the side walls 64. Ears 65 are adapted for cooperative engagement with oppositely directed slots 66 provided in side walls 43 of housing 40. A tab 49 is formed downwardly from top wall-44 at the front and is adapted to engage with a corresponding slot 68 in upper wall 62 of cover 60.

The length of cover 60 between the ends walls 62 and 63 is slightly less than the spacing between the upper end of plate 52 and top wall 44 although the length may be varied as required. The top wall, back wall, and cover cooperatively define a chamber 70 in which the light source is positioned.

Preferably, the light source is a low wattage bulb 82 held in position in chamber 70 by its base 84 secured in an opening 86 in top wall 44 by means of a resilient spring clip 88. Electrical wires 89 extending from the base are connected through switching elements to a power supply (not shown).

Face plate or cover plate 90 is formed of polymeric material and serves as an interior decorative liner for the assembly. The face plate is formed with an angular recess or cavity 91 defined by a back wall 92, side walls 93, and a top wall 94. Back wall 92 tapers inwardly at top wall 94 a distance corresponding to the spacing between the upper end of panel 52 adjacent leg 56, and flange 47 of housing 40. The back wall includes openings 53' formed therein corresponding to openings 53 in panel 52 to receive switches 59. An outwardly directed flange portion 95 at the front of the face plate is adapted for mounting at the front of the housing by means of screws or the like passing through opening 96 at the top and bottom portions thereof. A sheet metal screw 97 passing through back wall 92 secures the face plate to panel 52. An opening 98 in top wall 94 opens into chamber 70 to thereby form an outlet for light emitted from source 80.

When face plate 90 is removed, cover 60 is easily snapped out of its engaging position with respect to housing 40 by simply grasping the cover along end wall 63 and pulling it outwardly thereby opening chamber 70 such that a light bulb 82 may be conveniently replaced.

In use. the light rays emitted from bulb 82 are directed downwardly from chamber 70 through opening 98 in face plate 90 illuminating the switches 59 and downwardly toward the floor of the room where it provides a night lighting function. Hospital personnel caring for a patient may view a watch or a thermometer in the vicinity of the light assembly for convenient reading without disturbing the patient.

Those skilled in the art will readily recognize that the combination lighting assembly provides an improved system for use in a hospital bed service unit. The lighting assembly of the invention, because of its minimal number of component parts, reduces the total weight of the service unit and in addition, savings are realized in manufacturing costs and in the cost of operation of the service unit. Other modifications and variations will I said leading edge of said hospital service unit, said light assembly comprising:

a housing including a plurality of wall members including a top, bottom, and a back wall defining an open front enclosure, said housing being mounted vertically along its length within said recess in said service unit;

a switch panel mounted in said housing, said panel being recessed behind said leading edge of said unit, one end of said panel being fixed to said back wall a distance spaced from said top wall of said housing, the other end of said panel being fixed to said bottom wall at said open front of said housing such that said panel is angularly disposed in said housing; I

a cover for said open front, said cover extending downwardly from said top wall a distance generally corresponding to the distance between said one end of said panel and said top wall, said cover, said back wall, and said top wall defining a chamber in said housing having an opening which opens downwardly along said panel and through said open front of said housing;

lighting means in said chamber, said lighting means directing light through said opening in said chamber and over said switch panel to illuminate same and downwardly to provide night lighting for the hospital room; and

at least one switch means mounted on said recessed panel for controlling the operation of lights or other technical facilities on said unit, said switch means being located completely behind said leading edge of said unit for protection thereby and illuminatiaon by said lighting means.

2. The combination lighting assembly of claim 1 and further including means releasably securing said cover on said open front whereby said cover may be removed for access to said lighting means in said chamber.

3. The combination lighting assembly of claim 2 wherein said housing includes a pair of spaced side walls, said releasable securing means including cooperable engaging means on said cover and said side walls thereby said cover may be removed.

4. In combination with a hospital service unit having a leading edge with a recess therein adapted for hanging on the wall of a hospital room proximate a hospital bed, a night light and switch light assembly mounted on said leading of said hospital service unit, said light assembly comprising:

a housing including a plurality of wall members including a top, bottom, and a back wall deifning an open front enclosure, said housing being mounted vertically along its length within said recess in said service unit;

a switch panel mounted in said housing, one end of said panel being fixed to said back wall a distance spaced from said top wall of said housing, the other end of said panel being fixed to said bottom wall at said open front of said housing such that said panel is angularly disposed in said housing;

a cover for said open front, said cover extending downwardly from said top wall a distance generally corresponding to the distance between said one end of said panel and said top wall, said cover, said back wall, and said top wall defining a chamber in said housing opening outwardly and downwardly along said panel and through said open front of said housing;

lighting means in said chamber, said lighting means directing light over said switch panel to illuminate same and downwardly to provide night lighting for the hospital room;

means releasably securing said cover on said open front whereby said cover may be removed for access to said lighting means in said chamber; and

means mounting said light means in said chamber, said mounting means being secured to said top wall.

5. The combination of claim 3 and further including a face plate for said lighting assembly, said face plate including wall means for partially closing the opening in said chamber, said wall means having an opening and recessed portions positionable in said housing, forming adecorative liner.

6. A hospital bed service unit having an exposed surface with a recess therein adapted for hanging on the wall of a hospital room proximate a hospital bed and having means carried thereby for providing technical facililties to the bed location; switching means on said service unit for controlling said facilities; and combined night lighting and switch lighting means illuminating said switching means. said combined lighting means including a recessed vertically mounted within the recess of said service unit along said exposed surface thereof, said housing having top, bottom, back, and a pair of spaced side walls forming a box-like enclosure having an open front; an elongated generally flat panel adapted for carrying said switching means mounted in said housing, said panel being generally recessed behind said exposed surface of said unit and extending between said side walls and having one end thereof secured in said housing at said bottom wall adjacent said open front, the other end of said panel extending upwardly and inwardly terminating at said back wall a distance spaced from said top wall; lighting means positioned between said other end of said panel and said top wall; and a cover member positioned between said side walls and said top wall to cover a portion of said open front adjacent said lighting means; means within said housing defining an aperture below said lighting means for controlling the emission and di rection of the light from said lighting means whereby said light illuminates said recessed panel and said switching means carried thereby and emanates outwardly and downwardly from said open front of said housing to provide night lighting for the room in which said service unit is installed.

elongated housing UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION PATENT NO. 3, 72,294

DATED March 18, 1975 rg) Patrick J. O'TO016 It is certified that error appears it] the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby carrected as shown below:

Column 5, line 1;

After "leading" insert --edge-.

Signed and Scaled this twenty-second Day f July 1975 [sEALl Arrest:

Arresting Officer 

1. In combination with a hospital service unit having a leading edge with a recess therein adapted for hanging on the wall of a hospitAl room proximate a hospital bed, a night light and switch light assembly mounted on said leading edge of said hospital service unit, said light assembly comprising: a housing including a plurality of wall members including a top, bottom, and a back wall defining an open front enclosure, said housing being mounted vertically along its length within said recess in said service unit; a switch panel mounted in said housing, said panel being recessed behind said leading edge of said unit, one end of said panel being fixed to said back wall a distance spaced from said top wall of said housing, the other end of said panel being fixed to said bottom wall at said open front of said housing such that said panel is angularly disposed in said housing; a cover for said open front, said cover extending downwardly from said top wall a distance generally corresponding to the distance between said one end of said panel and said top wall, said cover, said back wall, and said top wall defining a chamber in said housing having an opening which opens downwardly along said panel and through said open front of said housing; lighting means in said chamber, said lighting means directing light through said opening in said chamber and over said switch panel to illuminate same and downwardly to provide night lighting for the hospital room; and at least one switch means mounted on said recessed panel for controlling the operation of lights or other technical facilities on said unit, said switch means being located completely behind said leading edge of said unit for protection thereby and illuminatiaon by said lighting means.
 2. The combination lighting assembly of claim 1 and further including means releasably securing said cover on said open front whereby said cover may be removed for access to said lighting means in said chamber.
 3. The combination lighting assembly of claim 2 wherein said housing includes a pair of spaced side walls, said releasable securing means including cooperable engaging means on said cover and said side walls thereby said cover may be removed.
 4. In combination with a hospital service unit having a leading edge with a recess therein adapted for hanging on the wall of a hospital room proximate a hospital bed, a night light and switch light assembly mounted on said leading of said hospital service unit, said light assembly comprising: a housing including a plurality of wall members including a top, bottom, and a back wall deifning an open front enclosure, said housing being mounted vertically along its length within said recess in said service unit; a switch panel mounted in said housing, one end of said panel being fixed to said back wall a distance spaced from said top wall of said housing, the other end of said panel being fixed to said bottom wall at said open front of said housing such that said panel is angularly disposed in said housing; a cover for said open front, said cover extending downwardly from said top wall a distance generally corresponding to the distance between said one end of said panel and said top wall, said cover, said back wall, and said top wall defining a chamber in said housing opening outwardly and downwardly along said panel and through said open front of said housing; lighting means in said chamber, said lighting means directing light over said switch panel to illuminate same and downwardly to provide night lighting for the hospital room; means releasably securing said cover on said open front whereby said cover may be removed for access to said lighting means in said chamber; and means mounting said light means in said chamber, said mounting means being secured to said top wall.
 5. The combination of claim 3 and further including a face plate for said lighting assembly, said face plate including wall means for partially closing the opening in said chamber, said wall means having an opening and recessed portions positionable in said housing, forming a decorative liner.
 6. A hospital bed service unit having an exposed surface with a recess therein adapted for hanging on the wall of a hospital room proximate a hospital bed and having means carried thereby for providing technical facililties to the bed location; switching means on said service unit for controlling said facilities; and combined night lighting and switch lighting means illuminating said switching means, said combined lighting means including a recessed vertically elongated housing mounted within the recess of said service unit along said exposed surface thereof, said housing having top, bottom, back, and a pair of spaced side walls forming a box-like enclosure having an open front; an elongated generally flat panel adapted for carrying said switching means mounted in said housing, said panel being generally recessed behind said exposed surface of said unit and extending between said side walls and having one end thereof secured in said housing at said bottom wall adjacent said open front, the other end of said panel extending upwardly and inwardly terminating at said back wall a distance spaced from said top wall; lighting means positioned between said other end of said panel and said top wall; and a cover member positioned between said side walls and said top wall to cover a portion of said open front adjacent said lighting means; means within said housing defining an aperture below said lighting means for controlling the emission and direction of the light from said lighting means whereby said light illuminates said recessed panel and said switching means carried thereby and emanates outwardly and downwardly from said open front of said housing to provide night lighting for the room in which said service unit is installed. 